Sister makes a surprise visit to Chicago's Mayor Daley on Ash Wednesday... just to check. "I feel like I'm back in grade school," said Hizzoner, who indeed had received his ashes. Good job, Richard, you get a gold star...
Late Nite Catechism
creators take over
Los Angeles productionChicagoans Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan
add L.A. to their holdings
A Chicago original and international hit, Late Nite Catechism has been a fixture on the Chicago theater scene for nine years and is still going strong.
Writers Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan struck a deal years ago with their national producers, Entertainment Events in New York, to open productions throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The two retained the rights to Chicago, where Quade continues to live and is producer of the show under their company, Quade/Donovan Entertainment. Donovan, meanwhile, went on tour, eventually settling in Los Angeles.
Recently, the authors found themselves in disagreement with their producers over the future potential of the Los Angeles production and made an offer their national producers couldn’t resist: they would take over the show in the country’s entertainment capital.
"They thought it had run its course," Donovan said. "I know it hasn’t."
Tim Flaherty, president of Entertainment Events, confirmed that he believed the L.A. production was nearing its end. "It wasn’t losing money, but it wasn’t making much either."
Donovan and Quade know the income potential is there: Los Angeles has the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States, they note. They plan on using the same marketing and advertising techniques in Los Angeles that have made the show a long-running favorite in Chicago.
"The key is to let the public know where you are," says Quade, who has been traveling to Los Angeles to help Donovan put together plans. "A little advertising goes a long way. This is such a word of mouth show and we’re working on getting people back into the theater. Our production was neglected for too long and we think we can bring it back to life."
They obviously know what they’re doing: their first production this past weekend Upstairs at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles was sold out, and numbers are growing strong for future dates.
Meanwhile, the show continues its run at the Royal George Theater in Chicago and the Copley Theater in Aurora (now in its second year), all three locations produced by Quade/Donovan Entertainment.
The New York Times calls the show, "hilarious, well-written and inspired."
When the show had its world premiere in Chicago in May 1993, with Donovan originating the role of Sister, both Donovan and Quade thought the play would run a few weeks and appeal to their families and friends.
Now in its ninth year in Chicago, the show has spawned a host of productions in other cities and is in its:
· Fifth year off-Broadway in New York,
· Fourth year in Seattle,
· Second year in New Orleans
· Second year in Scottsdale
· Sixth month in San Francisco
· Recently opened in St. Louis and Vancouver.
In addition, Late Nite Catechism has done extended stints in Boston, Detroit, St. Paul, Philadelphia, Portland, Australia, Montreal, Toronto, London, and Dublin, and has a national touring company, in addition to its national producers, that books the show into short runs in cities throughout the country.
Quade/Donovan Entertainment has its own website: www.latenitecatechism.info.
Late Nite CatechismReviewed at the Copley Theatre by the Beacon, Kane County Chronicle, and Press-Republican Newspapers, Late Nite Catechism has received nothing but praise and acclamation! Judy Reinert of the Kane County Chronicle states, "Far funnier than ‘Nunsense,’ Late Nite Catechism is a brilliant production in every way."
Four actresses—Margaret Kusterman, Mary McHale , Lynda Shadrake, and Tina Thuerwachter—share the role of Sister, the wise-cracking, lovable character created by Chicagoans Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, who are coproducing the show with the Paramount Arts Centre.
Late Nite Catechism is an uproarious piece of theater that takes audiences members right back, with the help of Sister, to their school days. This interactive comedy features the audience as members of the class.
The show ran for one week last February at the Paramount Arts Center, breaking attendance records for this production.
The New York Times calls Late Nite Catechism "an uproarious piece of interactive theater…inspired, well-written, hilarious… that speaks to an audience much broader than the membership of any one church."
The Chicago Reader calls it, "gloriously funny."
The New World, the newspaper for the Chicago Archdiocese, gives this comedy "a gold star," and the Catholic Explorer calls it "a habit-forming hoot."
Late Nite Catechism has been nominated for awards by both New York and Los Angeles critics. It is currently in its fifth year off-Broadway in New York, as well as enjoying long runs in Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The show has been a hit in London, Dublin, Toronto, Montreal, and Australia.
In Chicago, where it opened in 1993, the show continues its long run at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted, Chicago (312/988-9000 or TicketMaster).
Tickets for Late Nite Catechism, priced at $25, are on sale now at the Paramount Arts Centre box office, 23 E. Galena Blvd, Aurora, (630/896-6666) and TicketMaster outlets. Group discounts are available for groups of 20 or more, for more information please call 630/264-7203.
June 17, 2000Benedictine Sisters
receive
$7,100 in donations from
Late Nite Catechism
St. Scholastica nuns part of national awareness drive
As part of its national drive to collect funds for nuns across America, the producers of Late Nite Catechism recently donated $ 7,100 to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago--donations collected from the show’s audiences who saw the comedy during the 2000 Easter holiday season.Vicki Quade, the show’s producer, presented the check to Sister Benita Coffey, Sister Carolyn, and Sister Jane Smith. The Benedictine Sisters own and operate St. Scholastica High School in Rogers Park. Sister Jane Smith is the prioress/principal.
The total amount included roughly $4,500 collected from theatergoers and another $2,500 donated by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan, creators and producers of the show, who kicked in $1 for every ticket sold during the Easter season. The Benedictine Sisters, who receive the bare minimum of Social Security and Medicare for their own retirement expenses, will use the money to defray expenses in their infirmary. Sister Carolyn, who is 92, is one of the nuns cared for in the Benedictine home. The Sisters retirement expenses are not covered by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
In the past four years, Quade and Donovan have donated a total of about $36,000 to retired nuns in the Chicagoland area.
Nationally, the play’s various productions have collected and donated more than $500,000 to help nuns across America. The show currently has productions in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Seattle, St. Paul, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
Late Nite Catechism will run Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted, Chicago. Tickets are $30. For ticket information, call the Royal George at 312/988-9000, or Ticketmaster at 312/902-1500.
Late Nite
Catechism
has moved to new home
Starts 8th year in Chicago
at the Royal George Theatre Center
A Chicago original and international hit, Late Nite Catechism opens its eighth year in Chicago with a new home: Starting May 5, the show began an open run at the Royal George Theatre Center.
Mary McHale will continue in the role of Sister, the wise-cracking, lovable character created by Chicagoans Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan.
Donovan recently won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her performance of Sister, and the show’s authors were nominated for a writing award. The New York Times calls the show, "hilarious, well-written and inspired."
When the show started back in May 1993, both Donovan and Quade thought the play would run a few weeks and appeal to their families and friends.
Now entering its eighth year in Chicago, the show:
· Is in its fifth year off-Broadway in New York,
· Is in its third year in Philadelphia, Seattle and Portland,
· Opened three new cities last year: Los Angeles, New Orleans, St. Paul,
In addition, Late Nite Catechism has done extended stints in Boston, Australia, Toronto, London, and Dublin, and has a national touring company that books the show into short runs in cities throughout the country.
Late Nite Catechism will run Fridays at 8
p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. at the Royal George Theatre Center,
1641 N. Halsted, Chicago. Tickets are $30. For ticket information, call the Royal George
at 312/988-9000, or Ticketmaster at 312/902-1500.
Still
teaching ‘Late Nite Catechism’ after a decade